More like $12.99 for core functionality that should have been released with the game (cities skylines is the worst for this). I'm all for reasonable pricing to cover the costs of development, but chaining together a dozen expansions and making a $40 game cost an additional $160 is bonkers. Its deceptive pricing, and it shouldn't be excused just because you like small studios making better games. It would be better to release games when they are fully ready and have a roadmap of full cost available.
Though it does look like they've now offered a subscription service to essentially rent the expansions for $8 a month, at least that provides choices.
A lot of people play boardgames specifically to hang with friends. I just gently ask who's turn it is if things get out of hand.